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Alexandra
Traditionally ascribed to the early third-century BCE tragedian Lykophron, the Alexandra is a powerful Greek poem by an unknown author, probably written c. 190, when Rome had defeated Hannibal and the Carthaginians and was poised to humble the Seleukid king Antiochos III. The poem is an ingeniously constructed masterpiece, a generic mix with elements of tragedy, epic, and history.
Priam's beautiful daughter, the prophetic Kassandra, foresees her rape in Athena's temple by the hateful Greek warrior Ajax after Troy's fall, and warns of disastrous returns ( nostoi ) for all the Greek 'heroes'. But Troy will rise again as Rome, founded by Trojan refugees. Alexandra (another name for Kassandra), narrates these Mediterranean foundation myths, adopting a bitterly disillusioned female perspective, but culminating in prophecies of Roman rule over land and sea.
Priam's beautiful daughter, the prophetic Kassandra, foresees her rape in Athena's temple by the hateful Greek warrior Ajax after Troy's fall, and warns of disastrous returns ( nostoi ) for all the Greek 'heroes'. But Troy will rise again as Rome, founded by Trojan refugees. Alexandra (another name for Kassandra), narrates these Mediterranean foundation myths, adopting a bitterly disillusioned female perspective, but culminating in prophecies of Roman rule over land and sea.
192 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 31, 2024
My head is spinning after reading this very dense prophecy, uttered by Kassandra; just before the start of the Trojan War. The tradition holds this poem is written by Lykophron but this is probably not correct, it follows that dating the Alexandra is difficult, this publication gives good arguments to go with the 190’s bce.
Whatever the case may be, in this poem Kassandra gives an overview of the (fates of the) Greeks before, during and after the Trojan war, culminating in Roman (Trojan) dominance. She relates many obscure and alternate versions of known - and unknown - stories. To give but one example of the style of this poem: Troy - a central place and idea within this narration - is never called such, but is mostly referred to by other, mostly obscure, names. This is the same for other places, gods, heroes, …
The notes to the poem are a bit lengthier than the prophecy istelf. This, in combination with the many obscure names and myths, doesn’t help its readability. But if you’re able to see passed this, this work reveals itself as one of extraodrinary strength in its themes and language. Kassandra’s account reads as a fever-dream. Especially her predicting and describing her own sad fate (first her rape by Ajax and then her murder by Klytaemnestra) is breathtaking and powerful.
This poem may not be for everyone, but I did enjoy it a lot.
Whatever the case may be, in this poem Kassandra gives an overview of the (fates of the) Greeks before, during and after the Trojan war, culminating in Roman (Trojan) dominance. She relates many obscure and alternate versions of known - and unknown - stories. To give but one example of the style of this poem: Troy - a central place and idea within this narration - is never called such, but is mostly referred to by other, mostly obscure, names. This is the same for other places, gods, heroes, …
The notes to the poem are a bit lengthier than the prophecy istelf. This, in combination with the many obscure names and myths, doesn’t help its readability. But if you’re able to see passed this, this work reveals itself as one of extraodrinary strength in its themes and language. Kassandra’s account reads as a fever-dream. Especially her predicting and describing her own sad fate (first her rape by Ajax and then her murder by Klytaemnestra) is breathtaking and powerful.
This poem may not be for everyone, but I did enjoy it a lot.
September 16, 2023
The mysterious author achieved precisely what was desired. A long and obscure oracle from the mouth of a mad prophetess. Challenging but rewarding read.
In requital for the sin of one man, all Greece
shall mourn the empty tombs of ten thousand of its children
not placed upon the rocks which are their real coffins,
nor containing the last ashes from their pyres,
buried in funeral urns, as is the due for mortal men,
but as pitiful names and inscriptions on cenotaphs
washed by the warm tears of their parents
and children, and the lamentations of their wives.
In requital for the sin of one man, all Greece
shall mourn the empty tombs of ten thousand of its children
not placed upon the rocks which are their real coffins,
nor containing the last ashes from their pyres,
buried in funeral urns, as is the due for mortal men,
but as pitiful names and inscriptions on cenotaphs
washed by the warm tears of their parents
and children, and the lamentations of their wives.
Read
July 22, 2023This work is worth it for the sole section describing Agamemnon’s murder from Kassandra’s perspective… The way she describes how Clytemnestra delivered a hit against her back, killing her even though she was clearly a victim of her husband’s hubris - raw and heartbreaking.
December 30, 2025
Who would I recommend this book to: those who have read or know the plot of "Iliad" and "Odyssey", and perhaps "Aenid", plus have some knowledge of Ancient Greek mythology; who are interested in Kassandra's story (under her Spartan name, Alexandra, here); and who would like some more of this type of stuff.
I groan, I groan for you, twice and three times,
you who see battle once again, and the plundering of houses,
and behold destructive fire.
(on Troy - this future destruction is not its first)
Ascribed to an early 3rd century BC tragedian, but more likely an (anonymous man's) work from around 190 BC, written for the South Italian Greek immigrants with pro-Roman opinion, this is a masterpiece poem with Kassandra's prophecy, delivered before Troy's destruction, with future hope in Rome's successes. A nameless guard delivers it to her father, king Priam (hoping in the end for a better outcome). As some will know, her prophecies
The poem itself is only 54 pages here, but at least the first time you might find it's not a quick read, due to needing to read the footnotes. Lots of people, lots of gods with nicknames, and the plot goes back and forth in time (good thing we have guidance to different scenes within the poem). At the beginning is the (spoilery) introduction and map of the places mentioned, and at the end is a useful synopsis of the poem, and helpful explanatory notes. (The translator says that ancient commentary for the poem, including Byzantine, has been very helpful.)
Some plots are different from what is written in Homer or elsewhere: like, the end of "Odyssey" is different here, and Odysseus and Penelope too. We learn much about Greek and Trojan colonies west of Greece (Italy, Malta, and some Spain, mostly). Achilles is, of course, seen differently because of the teller (at least), and the fate of Greek army returning from Troy is told with some 'revenge is sweet' attitude (Kassandra's treatment during the fall of Troy and after one reason why the disastrous fates happen). Women's suffering is brought up a lot, part of the reason why the translator calls this poem proto-feminist. The author is certainly well-read, using sources that exist now whole, partly, or not at all.
It was interesting a book to read, though I think rereads will be even better since I perhaps won't have to keep my finger on the page-end footnotes then :) This was a clear, well-written poem, and brought interesting opinons up; well worth it.
I groan, I groan for you, twice and three times,
you who see battle once again, and the plundering of houses,
and behold destructive fire.
(on Troy - this future destruction is not its first)
Ascribed to an early 3rd century BC tragedian, but more likely an (anonymous man's) work from around 190 BC, written for the South Italian Greek immigrants with pro-Roman opinion, this is a masterpiece poem with Kassandra's prophecy, delivered before Troy's destruction, with future hope in Rome's successes. A nameless guard delivers it to her father, king Priam (hoping in the end for a better outcome). As some will know, her prophecies
The poem itself is only 54 pages here, but at least the first time you might find it's not a quick read, due to needing to read the footnotes. Lots of people, lots of gods with nicknames, and the plot goes back and forth in time (good thing we have guidance to different scenes within the poem). At the beginning is the (spoilery) introduction and map of the places mentioned, and at the end is a useful synopsis of the poem, and helpful explanatory notes. (The translator says that ancient commentary for the poem, including Byzantine, has been very helpful.)
Some plots are different from what is written in Homer or elsewhere: like, the end of "Odyssey" is different here, and Odysseus and Penelope too. We learn much about Greek and Trojan colonies west of Greece (Italy, Malta, and some Spain, mostly). Achilles is, of course, seen differently because of the teller (at least), and the fate of Greek army returning from Troy is told with some 'revenge is sweet' attitude (Kassandra's treatment during the fall of Troy and after one reason why the disastrous fates happen). Women's suffering is brought up a lot, part of the reason why the translator calls this poem proto-feminist. The author is certainly well-read, using sources that exist now whole, partly, or not at all.
It was interesting a book to read, though I think rereads will be even better since I perhaps won't have to keep my finger on the page-end footnotes then :) This was a clear, well-written poem, and brought interesting opinons up; well worth it.
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April 11, 2022ascribed to a third-century BCE tragedian, but was probably written c.196-190 BCE? (after war of 197/6)
It consists of a prophecy uttered by Cassandra and relates the later fortunes of Troy and of the Greek and Trojan heroes. References to events of mythical and later times are introduced, and the poem ends with a reference to Alexander the Great, who was to unite Asia and Europe in his world-wide empire.[3]
The style obtained for the poem's author, even among the ancients, the title of "obscure"; one modern scholar says the Alexandra "may be the most illegible piece of classical literature, one which nobody can read without a proper commentary and which even then makes very difficult reading."[5] The poem is evidently intended to display the writer's knowledge of obscure names and uncommon myths; it is full of unusual words of doubtful meaning gathered from the older poets, and long-winded compounds coined by the author. It was probably written as a show-piece for the Alexandrian school, rather than as straight poetry. It was very popular in the Byzantine period, and was read and commented on very frequently
It consists of a prophecy uttered by Cassandra and relates the later fortunes of Troy and of the Greek and Trojan heroes. References to events of mythical and later times are introduced, and the poem ends with a reference to Alexander the Great, who was to unite Asia and Europe in his world-wide empire.[3]
The style obtained for the poem's author, even among the ancients, the title of "obscure"; one modern scholar says the Alexandra "may be the most illegible piece of classical literature, one which nobody can read without a proper commentary and which even then makes very difficult reading."[5] The poem is evidently intended to display the writer's knowledge of obscure names and uncommon myths; it is full of unusual words of doubtful meaning gathered from the older poets, and long-winded compounds coined by the author. It was probably written as a show-piece for the Alexandrian school, rather than as straight poetry. It was very popular in the Byzantine period, and was read and commented on very frequently
October 11, 2024
Mythologically speaking, before Troy was attacked, Kassandra was famously ignored after she prophesied its downfall at the hands of the Greeks. This is that prophecy, relayed to Priam, her father, by a guardsman. It was written before the Aeneid but after the Iliad and the Odyssey. Kudos to you OWC, Mssr. Hornblower.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2023
a great edition of a complex and extraordinarily esoteric poem. full of wonderful and helpful footnotes and endnotes.
May 19, 2023
u kno ur in 4 a banger when the pagecount for the explanatory notes exceeds that of the main text
April 14, 2023
8/10
Quite remarkable (in my limited view of Greek myth/history) as a very revisionist contemporary takedown of said myth/history’s appalling treatment of female figures. Granted the non-Classicist (Such as me) needs Hornblower's extensive footnotes to try and maintain the semblance of a grasp on the appropriate social and histocal context, but then there will be an absolutely blistering passage of quivering power (Kassandra's prediction of her own death for one), which will jolt me in a way you'd hardly think possible for a poem from the 3rd Century BCE.
Quite remarkable (in my limited view of Greek myth/history) as a very revisionist contemporary takedown of said myth/history’s appalling treatment of female figures. Granted the non-Classicist (Such as me) needs Hornblower's extensive footnotes to try and maintain the semblance of a grasp on the appropriate social and histocal context, but then there will be an absolutely blistering passage of quivering power (Kassandra's prediction of her own death for one), which will jolt me in a way you'd hardly think possible for a poem from the 3rd Century BCE.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews